Gas-leak detector.



E. I. THOMAS. GAS LEAK DETECTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APB. 29,1908.

v! I w WITNESS E5 INVENTOR;

27116 177mm- 8Y4 I A mun! ELLIS I. THOMAS, OF OAKLAND, OALIFORNIA'GAS-LEAK DETECTOR.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Thus I. THOMAS, citizen of United States, residingat Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Gas-Leak Detectors, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to a device for the detection of leaks in gaspipes, and other elastic fluid leaks.

It consists in the combination of parts, and in details of constructionwhich will be more fully explained by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which-the view is a partial section, partial elevation ofthe device as applied. 1

After gas pipes have been placed in buildings, they must be inspected toinsure against leakage, and such ins ection should be completed beforethe wa ls through which the pipes pass, are finished.

It is the object of my invention to provide such an apparatus, whichincludes a means for generating an inflammable gas and distrib uting itthrough the pipes, means for indicating the ressure within the pipes,and to show if there is any leakage.

A is a gas main or pipe which may be a part of the system of pipes to betested. This is connected through a pipe 10 with the generator of theinflammable gas.

In the present case I have designed my apparatus to be used for theformation of acetylene gas, and the body is of any suitable or desiredsize adapted to contain carbid of calcium. This chamber. may be made ofa hemispherical or other suitably shaped bottom, and a perforated pipe12 extends upwardly from the bottom into the body of the chamber. Thechambermay be divided into compartments, as shown, if found desirable.

In line above the perforated pipe 12 is a water reservoir 3 having asmall discharge opening 5 at the bottom through which water may beallowed to drip into the tube 12 to be thence delivered outwardlythrough the perforations into the mass of carbid, thus generating a gas.

The water-container 3 is screw-threaded at the top, as shown at 5, andfits corresponding screw-threads in the cap 2. The cap 2 is alsothreaded at 4 to screw into the top of the chamber 1.

The parts are assembled by first filling the chamber 3 with water, thenscrewing it into Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 29, 1908.

Patented Aug. 11, 1908.

Serial No. 430,026.

the cap, and afterwards screwing the cap upon the body 1.

In the upper part of the chamber 3 is a cock 6 which, when closedprevents air from entering, and will thus prevent the water fromescaping into the carbid chamber. When this cock is opened, the waterwill be allowed to flow by reason of the admission of air into the upperpart of the chamber, and.

the flow may be regulated by the amount of opening of the air cock. Thegenerated gas will pass outwardly into the pipes A through the pipe 10,but before this is done, it is desirable to know whether the pipes aretight or not. For this purpose I have shown a cock 8 in the pipe 10which may be temp0- rarily closed so that there is no connection betweenthe pipe A and the adjusting apparatus.

By means of a branch pipe having a cock at 9, connection may be madefrom the pipe A through the cock 9 and the branch pipe 9, with a mercurygage 11. This gage is of any suitable or well known description, andwhen the connection is opened. through the cock 9, air or other pressuremay be applied through the pipe A, thus'forcing the mercury up in thegage tube. This being allowed to stand for a short time will determineat once whether there are any leaks in the pipes as such leaks wouldcause the mercury to sink in the gage. This having been determined, andthe movement of the mercury, showing that there are leakages, the cock 9is closed, the cock 8 is opened, and the acetylene gas from thegenerator will pass out through the pipes A and connections throughoutthe system.

The gas being inflammable it can be ignited. at any point where there isany leakage, and the point of leakage thus determined, and the leakcorrected.

The peculiar odor of the acetylene gas is such that it will make itselfknown at any small point of leakage, and will insure a correct diagnosisof the trouble which cannot be so well ascertained by the use of etheror similar vapors.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. In a testing apparatus of the character described,the combination of an acetylene generator, connections between thegenerator and the pipe system to be tested, a supplemental pipeconnecting with the system and having a mercury gas-gage connectedtherewith, a cock in the pipe system between the generator and thesupplemental pipe, by which the system may be cut out of connection withthe generator, and a cock in the supplemental pipe by which theconnection with the mercury gage may be opened to register pressure fromwithin the pipe system.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, an acetylene generator, apipe or passage connecting said generator with the pipe system to betested, a cock closable between said system and the generator, a branchpipe connecting with the system eX- 1 terior to said cock, and having acontrolling cock in its length, and a mercury gage connecting with thepipe and adapted to indicate a pressure applied to the pipe system.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 20 my hand in presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ELLIS I. THOMAS. l/Vitnesses:

J. M. LENNAN, ARTHUn OPPENHEIMER.

